Inside Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, A Venetian Palace

I first caught a glimpse of Ca’ Sagredo on a cold foggy afternoon during  Christmas of 2018, while taking a water taxi on the Grand Canal.  As I gazed up through the  Gothic Byzantine windows, I could see the dimly lit room with beams running across the ceiling. A large Murano glass chandelier hung in the center of the room, and  massive murals covered the walls. Visions of the Vampire Lestat from the Ann Rice novel raced though my mind. How many centuries could one live here and go unnoticed… what a dream it would be to go inside.

man with umbrella
Standing outside Ca’ Sagredo, Venice, Italy

While visiting Venice this spring for the opening of  the 60th  Venice Biennale, I embarked on a spectacular behind the scenes tour of Venice.  I was gifted this private tour by Nadia Friend in Venice, who specializes in these  tours. It was a belated wedding gift from our 2019 nuptials, also in Venice.  As we entered the building, Nadia pointed up to the sign that said ‘Ca Sagredo’ and said, Ca is short for home. Home of the Sagredo family. We entered into the quiet lobby with its red and white checkered floors. She spoke with the front desk for a moment, and then whisked us over to the Grand Staircase. I took a few steps, looked upward,  and  saw the massive mural Fall of the Giants. It dates back to 1732 and was  painted by  Venetian artist Pietro Longhi.  I was in complete aw.

Staircase Fresco
Grand Staircase Mural, the ‘Fall of the Giants’, by Peitro Longhi, 1734, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

The staircase was designed by architect Andrea Tirali and completed around 1732. At about the same time, the work on the mural began. Gerardo Sagredo spearheaded the renovation,  including the halls of the building and restoration of the facade. The two marble cherubs are by Francesco Bertos, a Venetian sculptor who worked in Rome, Venice, Padua, Turin and Florence.

Marble Cherub
Marble Cherub by Francesco Bertos, Grand Staircase, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

I reached the top of the steep staircase, and took a peak into the Il Portego, the broad salon that connects the entire first first floor to the facade overlooking the Grand Canal. I was speechless. This was the exact room that I’d seen nearly 6 years earlier from the water taxi. The grandeur of the room with its Murano glass chandeliers and  massive wall murals was beyond anything I’d ever seen before. And the terrazzo floors reminded me of those at our wedding venue in the Ridotto ballroom. I nearly sprinted to the balcony to catch a glimpse of the Grand Canal below.  As I looked up, I could see four  quatrefoil windows which look a bit like four leaf clovers.

A quatrefoil is a four sided representation of a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets. It’s also a hallmark of Gothic architecture.  You might  recognize the shape if you’re a fan of Louis Vuitton, as it’s frequently used in their jewelry and leather motifs.

Portego Hall with Venetian Chandelier
Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Gothic Window
Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Seating Area
Seating Area in Portego Hall, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

Next we headed into the Music Ballroom, massive and grand in scale, it sets the tone for a true Venetian Palace. The frescoes covering the walls and ceiling are attributed to Gaspare Diziani. The chandeliers are truly gilded, as they’re covered in pure gold leaf. The terrazzo floor is embellished with the Sagredo family’s coat of arms.

Music Ballroom
Music Ballroom and ceiling fresco, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
Ceiling Mural
Ceiling Fresco, Music Ballroom, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

The palace itself dates back to the 15th century, and was built by the Morosini family. It’s been modified several times throughout the centuries. It’s hard to imagine such an elegant world having been created, long before the pilgrims ever landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620.

In the 17th century, the palace was purchased by the Sagredos, one of the most prestigious families of the Venetian Nobility. Their family name dates back to the 11th century, with the most notable family member being  Doge Nicolo Segrado. He was the 105th Doge of Venice.

Ballroon
Romi Cortier in the elegant Music Ballroom, Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

What an absolute pleasure it was to take a seat in a Royal Venetian Palace… a guy could get used to this sort of thing. And check out this amazing gondola cover below. Thank you Nadia for the thrill of a lifetime. If you’re interested in one of her private tours you can find her at: Friend in Venice Tours.

Gondola Cover
A vintage gondola cover in the lobby of Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy

Learn more about Ca’ Sagredo Hotel here.

Barbie’s & Bubbles, a Housewarming Event

Judy Ragagli
Artist Judy Ragagli, and Host Romi Cortier. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Meet Artist Judy Ragagli, the inspiration behind Barbie’s & Bubbles, a housewarming event.  I first met her at a Gallery opening in the heart of Malibu Village, in the early 2000’s. The show  featured nearly a dozen of her hyperrealistic paintings, and in that moment, I became a fan for life.  As an artist myself, I greatly appreciated her unique skill. Working from only 7 tubes of oil paint, she’s able to create all of these exquisite colors, which is quite challenging when it comes to flesh tones. And her ability to create an image that looks like molded plastic, is even more impressive.

brown and aqua barbie painting
Aqua Sheath Barbie, Oil on Canvas, by Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Within a few years I commissioned Aqua Sheath, an original oil painting, for my home in Palm Springs.  Barbies chic sense of style is so mid-century, so she’s always in fashion in Palm Springs…  it was a perfect fit for the desert. Eventually  I sold the home and put the painting in storage. I moved into a larger home at the beginning of this year, and made sure this painting was one of the first ones I hung… along with Barbie in Hollywood.

Barbie Painting
Barbie in Hollywood, by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

I’d waited years to buy her from Judy, as Judy wasn’t ready to sell it. As an artist, you sometimes wait for the perfect collector when it comes to one of your babies. You know when it’s meant for someone who truly appreciates what you’ve poured into it. It’s not just the hours of painting, but the hours of contemplating as you flesh out the details,  bringing it to life, pushing through the barriers in your mind. It’s a very heartfelt process.

When the Oscar nominations came out this year, it thought it was prophetic that Judy had seen Barbie on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in her minds eye, so many years ago. That’s when I got the idea for my themed housewarming party. I wanted to celebrate strong women and female empowerment through art. I texted Judy to see if she was up for it, and asked if she would speak to my guests about her inspiration. She also agreed to bring in a few more paintings for the party.

3 Barbie Paintings
Original Barbie Paintings by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

When the evening finally arrived, my guests went crazy for all of her glorious art.. and a few folks even brought their original Barbies.

Madmen Barbies
Madmen Barbies & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Barbie
party guests
Stephanie Zeni, Romi Cortier, Sharon Lawrence, Jason Zeni & friends, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios
party guests
Recio Young, Christianna  Lockhart-Triolo, June Lockhart-Triolo, Romi Cortier, Jane Wilson. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Photos

In keeping with an Art Salon themed event, I spoke about a few of the works in my collection featuring women who’d blazed a path for themselves such as Francoise Gilot, or the up and coming Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu. From there I introduced Judy and enjoyed watching her interact with all of her new fans and admirers.

Party Guests
Barbies & Bubbles, a housewarming event. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

The evening couldn’t have been any more perfect. Everyone was laughing and smiling, even as they walked out the door. I loved introducing these strong women who were friends and clients, to each other. It was a dream come true for me.

Judy's Champagne
Artist Judy Ragagli at the Barbie’s & Bubbles housewarming event.

Judy, thank you for being the amazing woman that you are. You’re so intuitive and insightful, not to mention madly talented. It was such an honor to have you in our home.

Learn more about  Judy Ragagli’s  Barbie art at  Vintage Barbie Art

 

Villa Takali, starting 2022 right

 

Nanuku Resort Entrance,  Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo; Romi Cortier
Water Feature
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo Romi Cortier

Villa Takali, the luxurious Fijian Resort where Love Island was filmed, is where we kicked off our new year. Our friend Natalie is friends with the owner, and since the villa hadn’t been rented for the holidays, we were encouraged to pop by at our leisure, and enjoy the property.  On New Years day we headed  over to the villa, despite the heavy rains.  As far as I was concerned, a pool’s a pool, and even if it’s raining, it’s still 80 degrees… so how bad can it be. I had no idea what was in store for us.

To be honest, I’ve never heard of Villa Takali, and I’ve also never watched Love Island. Therefore, this entire experience took me by surprise. As we passed through the gate house, I felt like we were stepping onto a film set.  We parked the car, dodged rain drops as we crossed over the tennis courts, and headed into the covered colonnade. We dropped  our tote bags by the pool, and Natalie promptly took us on a 15 minute tour of the property. It seemed to go on forever.

Guest Suite, Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Guest Bathroom, Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
navy blue pool
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo; Romi Cortier

The villa spans two acres set on Loloma Beach, with 10,000 square feet of living space.  Imagine if you will, a private residence  with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms,  upper and lower guests suites, a master suite separate from the main house, a theater room, access to the private beach in front of the home. And did I mention the pool? It’s one of the largest private pools I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Pool View
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Grounds at Villa Takali
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Pool View
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

The infinity pool is covered in navy blue tiles, which gives it a luxurious dark blue color. It also makes it that much more intriguing as you step into the pool, because you’re not quite sure how deep it is. As you wade in and immerse yourself, all of your cares disappear. It’s you, the pool, the ocean, and the sky.

We spent hours swimming laps, playing games and lounging in the shallow end of the pool. I also spent some time by myself, walking the grounds of the property. There were so many beautiful details to take in. The lushness of the grounds, the multiple covered walkways, the private outdoor gardens, a  private 6 person jacuzzi off the master suite… every detail was beautifully thought out. Even in the rain, the villa was completely magical.

The villa can sleep up to 14 people and would be the perfect getaway for either a group of friends, or a large family.  And yes,  a private chef is available to tend to you and  your families  every need. This is truly a  sanctuary in the heart of the South Pacific with every amenity you can dream of.  A huge shout out to Natalie for giving us a taste of the good life… the really good life.

Loloma Beach,  Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

Learn more about Villa Takali HERE 

 

 

 

A Reunion at Fiji’s Nanuku Resort

Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo:Romi Cortier
Christmas Dinner, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Staff

Christmas dinner in Fiji at Nanuku Resort, that was our plan But it was no easy journey. We spent over 24 hours traveling to Fiji from Los Angeles.  Double masked for the duration, we arrived 4 hours early to LAX, only to learn that our flight had been delayed 4  hours. Strong headwinds added extra time to our 14 hour flight, add in customs and a 2 hour drive from Nadi to Pacific Harbor, and it felt like the trip that would never end.  By the time our driver pulled up to the Pearl Resort in Fiji, the same resort we’d gotten engaged at in the summer of 2016, we were absolutely exhausted.

My now husband, had been working on the reality show Kicking and Screaming during  the spring of 2016. After his show wrapped, I joined him there and made the proposal with the help of the hotel staff.  During his six week stay there, Recio had  become great friends with the resorts GM,  Ms. Natalie Marletta. I knew she’d be the perfect point person to help make the proposal spectacular, and she delivered. Hand cut flowers, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a spectacular dinner on the patio of Seduce restaurant, with a panoramic view of the South Pacific… this was no Gilligan’s Island. This was Fiji in all it’s glory,

Our friendship with Natalie has grown over the years. She attended our wedding in Venice, Italy, along with her husband, and she frequently visited us in Los Angeles when she was in town on business. And the last such time that she did that… Thursday March 13, 2020.  We were texting with Nat as she boarded her flight to LA, I said:  are you sure you should be coming to the states, they’re starting to shut things down. She said: Oh no honey, I’ll be fine. Twelve hours later as she exited her first class flight, the world had changed. She’d expected to be in LA for a week. However, she was informed that she had to return to Fiji the very next night, as LA was going into full lockdown on Sunday.

If we only had one night in LA for fine dining, then it had  to be at one of our favorite spots, so we headed to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. We arrived with our little bottle of hand sanitizer, to a nearly empty dining room sprinkled with guests. We had an amazingly long and luxurious dinner, and also ran into George Hamilton. At 80+ years of age, he knows how to turn on the charm, and  graciously took a photo with us. It seems we always run into celebrities when we’re with Natalie… she’s our good luck charm.

Dinner at the Polo lounge
Romi Cortier, Natalie Marletta, Recio Young, Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills, Ca.

When we said goodbye that night, none of us could have imagined how long it would be until we’d see each other again. While our lockdowns in the states were intermittent over the next year,  Fiji would remain closed until December 1st, 2021, over 21 months.

So was it worth it to make such an exhausting journey just three weeks after Fiji had reopened? You better believe it was. After a gazillion  phone calls, whats app chats, texts  and emails, Natalie was finally standing in front of us, in the flesh. Her gorgeous smile and radiant blue eyes were soup for the soul. Since we were four hours delayed arriving at her resort, she grabbed us, threw us in the Hummer, and hightailed it  down the road to Nanuku Resort, where her family was patiently waiting.

We arrived at the resort, hopped out of the SUV, and walked down the long log colonnade to an outdoor dining area with ocean views. It was divine!! And there was our dinner table lined with familiar faces, her husband, her kids, and a few new friends she couldn’t wait to introduce us too. We ate and drank for  hours,  basked in the warm Fijian air, and showered the kids with gifts that we’d brought from LA.

Christmas is Fiji is so much simpler than in the states. No over the top tinsel decorations from Target, Costco or Walmart. Just hand made displays nodding to the spirit of the season. It’s simpler, relaxed, and exactly what we needed to wrap up 2021. We’d missed that Bula Spirit, and were so happy to be back at our second home.

 

Bula, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

Branded image by pool
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

 

Gucci Garden Inspires

Little did I know that  when I walked into Gucci Garden,  it would be a huge source of inspiration for my own blossoming brand. Located in the heart of Florence in the historic 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia, it’s part museum, part retail, and home to Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura.   Creative director Alessandro Michele conceived it as a living, collaborative space which expresses the evolving aesthetic and philosophy of the House.

Couture Gown
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Sequin Dress
Sequin Dress, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Ideally its best to start on the third floor, and work you way downstairs to the retail boutique. The top floor begins with vintage Gucci pieces that will  tantalize your eyes. The sumptuous colors and hand beading are simply beyond.  I particularly loved all of the Chinoiserie inspired pieces.

Pink Jacket
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy, Photo: Romi Cortier
Pink Dress
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

This pink and black jacket  screams Jackie O with a  twist. The bold black trim and massive rhinestones drew me right in for a closer look. It’s beyond dramatic, and takes black piping to a whole new level.

Python Jacket
Python Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And this python overcoat is in a category all by itself. The colors are exquisite, and the use of the bold patterning is  dynamic.

Gucci
Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Once downstairs in the boutique, I was fascinated by the beautiful use of fabrics and tassels in the displays. It made me think about my own wedding that I’d just designed. My instincts were spot on.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Shoes
Shoes, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And then, there were the amazing Gucci Pillows! Wow. So stunning,  so Inspiring,  so deluxe, so… extra.

Gucci Pillows
Gucci Pillows, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo; Romi Cortier

The biggest surprise in the boutique were the limited edition chairs. They start at $2600, and top out at  $5500.  The ottoman is $3500, and the tv / side tray is $1450.

Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Ottoman
Ottoman, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

I certainly couldn’t leave empty handed, so I purchased a new iPhone case in the bookstore. From what I understand, the phone cases are only available at  this one of a kind boutique in Florence.

iPhone Case
iPhone Case , Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Gucci
Romi Cortier, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo; Recio Young

Gucci Garden Galleria is a real and imaginary place, the translation of a vision that stretches through the first and second floors and is filled with history, objects, anecdotes and geographies. A series of rooms unfolds from a story that begins in 1921, to today, ready to be reactivated, according to philosopher Walter Benjamin, ‘in future-rich constellations in which the past can meet the present’. 

Continue the Gucci experience HERE 

 

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier